Hong Kong shares fell on Tuesday as investors locked in profits after strong gains the day before and ahead of a slew of earnings reports, while uncertainty over possible military action by the United States against Syria also weighed.

On Tuesday, the Hang Seng Index closed down 0.6 per cent at 21,874.77, while the China Enterprises Index of the top Chinese listings in Hong Kong fell 0.9 per cent.

Agricultural Bank of China, China Life Insurance, China Minsheng Banking and Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology are among companies scheduled to announce earnings on Wednesday.